Vehicle aerodynamic improvement apparatus and system
AssigneeFleetAero, LLC
InventorsJesse Regan, Richard P. Senatro
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An aerodynamic device for attachment to a trailer of a tractor-trailer having a centerline, a trailer sidewall and a trailer door. The aerodynamic device comprises an airfoil and a flexible mounting system. The airfoil comprises a leading edge, a trailing edge, an inner surface, and an outer surface. The flexible mounting system comprises a door hinge, a mounting bracket, a trailer hinge and a door strap. The door hinge is coupled to the trailer door. The mounting bracket is coupled to the inner surface of the airfoil. The trailer hinge is coupled to the mounting bracket and the trailer sidewall. The door strap coupled to the door hinge at a first end and the mounting bracket at a second end.
Claims16
An aerodynamic device for attachment to a trailer of a tractor-trailer having a centerline, a trailer sidewall and a trailer door, the aerodynamic device comprising:
- an airfoil comprising a leading edge, a trailing edge, an inner surface, and an outer surface;
- a flexible mounting system comprising:
- a door hinge coupled to the trailer door;
- a mounting bracket comprising:
- upper and lower rotary brackets coupled to the inner surface of the airfoil;
- a hinge plate coupled to a first end of the upper and lower rotary brackets;
- a hinge arm coupled to the hinge plate at a first end and the trailer hinge at a second end;
- and
- a resilient spring coupled to the hinge arm at a first end and the door strap at a second end;
- a trailer hinge coupled to the mounting bracket and the trailer sidewall;
- and
- a door strap coupled to the door hinge at a first end and the mounting bracket at a second end.
A aerodynamic device for attachment to a trailer of a tractor-trailer having a centerline, a trailer sidewall and a trailer door, the aerodynamic device comprising:
- an airfoil comprising a leading edge, a trailing edge, an inner surface, and an outer surface;
- a flexible mounting system comprising:
- a door hinge coupled to the trailer door;
- a mounting bracket comprising:
- upper and lower rotary brackets coupled to the inner surface of the airfoil;
- a hinge plate rotatably coupled to a first end of the upper and lower rotary brackets;
- a hinge arm having first and second ends, wherein the first end is coupled to the hinge plate;
- and
- a resilient spring having first and second ends, wherein the first end of the resilient spring is coupled to a mounting portion of the hinge plate;
- and
- a trailer hinge coupled to the second end of the hinge arm and the trailer sidewall;
- and
- a door strap coupled to the door hinge at a first end and the second end of the resilient spring at a second end.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.